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The effects of demons, on the human body
By John L. Chopores
Matthew 4:24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.
The Greek word for "demon-possessed" is "daimonizomai" the word means, "to be under the power of a demon". The Greek word is in the Present Tense, in the Greek, the Present Tense usually means repeated or continual action, so it would seem that these "daimonizomai" people had the demons coming back often, or staying in them! It would also seem, that the demons caused "torments" in the people. The meaning of the Greek for "torments" "is torture, torment, acute pains".
There is no poof, in the Bible that some people are not possessed today. In fact, we know that at the End of the Age, there will be much demon activity! Cf. Revelation 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
Revelation 16:14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
We see that Jesus healed all of their problems, even spirit problems!
" Possessed with devils. The word demon is the correct translation, and means an evil spirit. Persons were actually subject to the control of demons. Of this there is the following proof: (1) Supernatural strength (#Mr 5:4); (2) Mind is not the source of blindness (#Mt 12:22); (3) Insanity cannot divine (#Ac 16:17); (4) Demons knew Jesus (#Mr 1:24); (5) Jesus addresses the demons (#Mt 8:32); (6) Demoniacs confess this control (#Mr 5:9); (7) Apostles assert it (#Lu 10:17); (8) Jesus admitted it (#Mt 12:28); (9) Peter assures use of it (#Ac 10:38)." [PNT].
Matthew 8:16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,
We see there that Jesus needed only "a word" to cast out evil spirits!
Matthew 8:28 ¶ When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way.
Demons made these two men, "exceedingly fierce". The Greek word for " exceedingly fierce" is " chalepos" it means "harsh, fierce, savage".
"The possessed men lived in graves. As servants of the Great Destroyer, demons love the dead . These graves consisted of caves or holes hewn out of solid rock and so lent themselves excellently as dwellings." [BRINK].
"Both Mark and Luke mention but one, which is no contradiction to Matthew; for they do not say that there was only one; and perhaps the reason why they only take notice of him is, because he was the fiercest, had a legion of devils in him, and was the principal one, that spake to Christ, and with whom he was chiefly concerned.
coming out of the tombs. Their coemeteria, or burying places, were at some distance from towns or cities; wherefore Luke says, the possessed met him "out of the city", a good way off from it Now in the court, at the mouth, or entrance of the cave, which was made for the bearers to put down the bier or coffin upon, before the interment, there was room for persons to enter and lodge, as these possessed with devils did: which places were chosen by the devils, either because of the solitude, gloominess, and filthiness of them
Or the devil chose these places, to render the persons possessed the more uncomfortable and distressed; to make them wilder and fiercer, by living in such desolate places, and so do more mischief to others: which was the case of these, who were
exceeding fierce, wicked, malignant, mischievous, and troublesome, through the influence of the devils in them;
so that no man might pass that way, without being insulted or hurt by them. " [JOHN GILL].
"Christ has not only all power in heaven and earth and all deep places, but has the keys of hell too. Principalities and powers were made subject to him, even while he was in his estate of humiliation, as an earnest of what should be at his entrance into his glory (#Eph 1:21); he spoiled them, #Col 2:15. It was observed in general (#Mt 8:16), that Christ cast out the spirits with his word;
Observe, concerning this legion of devils, What work they made where they were, and where they went.
I. What work they made where they were;which appears in the miserable condition of these two that were possessed by them; and some think, these two were man and wife, because the other Evangelists speak but of one.
1. They dwelt among the tombs;thence they came when they met Christ. The devil having the power of death, not as judge, but as executioner, he delighted to converse among the trophies of his victory, the dead bodies of men; but there, where he thought himself in the greatest triumph and elevation, as afterwards in Golgotha, the place of a skull, did Christ conquer and subdue him. Conversing among the graves increased the melancholy and frenzy of the poor possessed creatures, and so strengthened the hold he had of them by their bodily distemper, and also made them more formidable to other people, who generally startle at any thing that stirs among the tombs.
2. They were exceeding fierce;not only ungovernable themselves, but mischievous to others, frightening many, having hurt some; so that no man durst pass that way
3. They bid defiance to Jesus Christ, and disclaimed all interest in him, #Mt 8:29. It is an instance of the power of God over the devils, that, notwithstanding the mischief they studied to do by and to these poor creatures, yet they could not keep them from meeting Jesus Christ, who ordered the matter so as to meet them." [MATTHEW HENRY].
Matthew 8:33 Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.
Matthew 9:32 As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed.
The Greek for "mute" is "kophos" it means, "blunted (or lamed) in tongue, dumb" also "deaf".
" 32. As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil--"demonized." The dumbness was not natural, but was the effect of the possession." [JFB].
" A man who was demon-possessed and could not talk. This man was dumb and therefore could not tell Jesus his need, but other people helped him. He was not dumb in the normal sense of the term, but his dumbness was caused by a demonic power. The Greek k phos means dumb, deaf, or deaf-and-dumb (Bauer, s.v.). The man was dumb at any rate, because he was unable to speak (v. 33a), but possibly he was deaf-and-dumb." [BRINK].
" Satan, who had taken away, or restrained the use of his speech, out of pure malice and ill will, that he might not have the benefit of conversation with men, nor be able to say anything to the glory of God. This man did not come of himself to Christ, perhaps being unwilling, through the power and influence the devil had over him; but his friends, who were concerned for his welfare, and who were thoroughly persuaded of the power of Christ to heal him, by the miracles they had seen, or heard performed by him, brought him to him; and, no doubt, expressed their desire that he would cast out the devil, and cure him, which he did." [JOHN GILL].
Matthew 9:33 And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, "It was never seen like this in Israel!"
" Ver. 33. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake, &c.] The cause of his dumbness being removed, the effect ceased, and the man spake as he did before, and as other men do; and this was done, according to the Persic version, "as soon as Christ saw him"; the devil not being able to bear his presence, much less withstand his power: but as soon as Christ had set his eyes upon the man possessed by him, and had given him orders to be gone, he immediately went out, and the man was restored to his speech again;
and the multitude marvelled, saying, it was never so seen in Israel. The vast crowds of people, who were alarmed with the former miracles of Christ, and came along with the friends of the dumb man, when they heard him speak so suddenly and plainly, and with so much freedom, nothing being said or done to him, were surprised; and declared very frankly, that though many wonderful things had been done in Israel, in times past, by Moses, Elijah, Elisha, and others, yet never were such things seen, or heard, or known of, as were done by Christ: referring not to this miracle only, but to all the rest he had just wrought; as curing the woman of her bloody issue, raising Jairus's daughter from the dead, restoring sight to the two blind men, and now casting out a dumb devil." [JOHN GILL].
Matthew 11:18 "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, `He has a demon.'
The Greek word for "has" is "echo", it means "to be closely joined to a person or a thing".
We see from this verse, that people without the Spirit of God, have a hard time telling who is demon-possessed. They thought that John the Baptist had a demon!
"John came neither eating nor drinking. Jesus is speaking here of John's total abstinence. He refrained from normal food and drink (bread and wine, Luke 7:33; 1:15) but ate locusts and wild honey (Mark 1:16). The people considered this way of life insane and linked it to possession." [BRINK].
Matthew 12:22 ¶ Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.
Matthew 15:22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed."
The Greek word for "severely" is "kakos", it means, "miserable, to be ill". So we see again, that demons can make a person ill!
" {Have pity on me} (elehson me). She made her daughter's case her own, "badly demonized."" [RWP].
Matthew 17:18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.
The Greek word for "rebuked" is the word "epitimao" it can mean, "to tax with fault, rate, chide, rebuke". Jesus did not (and does not) play games with demons; He deals with them in truth and power!
Mark 1:32 At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed.
When is the best time to heal the sick, and cast out demons. The answer is any time! We see for this verse, that it took this people to learn this!
"they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils--the demonized. From #Lu 13:14 we see how unlawful they would have deemed it to bring their sick to Jesus for a cure during the sabbath hours. They waited, therefore, till these were over, and then brought them in crowds. Our Lord afterwards took repeated occasion to teach the people by example, even at the risk of His own life, how superstitious a straining of the sabbath rest this was." [JFB].
"And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were sick, and them that were possessed with demons. Their delay till sundown was unquestionably caused by the traditional law of the Sabbath which forbade men to carry any burden on that day (#Joh 5:10). The Sabbath closed at sundown (#Le 23:32). The distinction is drawn between the sick and the demon-possessed. Lightfoot gives two reasons why demoniacal possession was so common at that time, namely: 1, the intense wickedness of the nation; 2, the addiction of the nation to magic, whereby the people invited evil spirits to be familiar with them." [TFG]. [Some believe that there were more demon-possessed, in the first century AD. They say that there was more wickedness and "magic" then. But we see that wickedness and "magic" is becoming more and more common, as we get neared the "End of the Age"].
On healing on the Sabbath. See Mark 3:2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.
On demons at the "End of the Age", see Revelation 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Mark 5: 12 So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them."
You will notice, that "all the demons" begged Jesus to send them into the swine. We see here, great fear of Jesus Christ among the demons. Cf. Luke 10:17 ¶ Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe----and tremble!
Could it also be, that the demons thought that they could still work against and do harm to the Kingdom of God though the bodies of the swine?
"Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them--Had they spoken out all their mind, perhaps this would have been it: "If we must quit our hold of this man, suffer us to continue our work of mischief in another form, that by entering these swine, and thus destroying the people's property, we may steel their hearts against Thee!"" [JFB].
13 And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.
Please note that demons are "unclean" spirits.
"And forthwith Jesus gave them leave--In Matthew (#Mt 8:32) this is given with majestic brevity--"Go!" The owners, if Jews, drove an illegal trade; if heathens, they insulted the national religion: in either case the permission was just." [JFB].
"and entered into the herd of swine; according to the leave given them by Christ: this shows not only the existence of spirits, but their going from one to another shows that they are circumscribed by space; that they are here, and not there, or there, and not here: there is an "ubi", a somewhere, where they are; and whilst there, are not elsewhere:" [JOHN GILL].
"{They were choked} (epnigonto). Imperfect tense picturing graphically the disappearance of pig after pig in the sea." [RWP].
Mark 5:15 Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.
A "legion" is about 6826.
The Greek word for "right mind" is "sophroneo", it means, "to be of sound mind" and also, "to exercise self control".
Now the Spirit of God is Holy, and brings a right mind. Cf. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Mark 5:16 And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine.
Mark 5:18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.
"the grateful heart, fresh from the hand of demons, clinging to its wondrous Benefactor. How exquisitely natural!" [JFB].
Mark 7:26 The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.
We see here that demons can possess a person from any nation.
"The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by race. The Macedonian conquest had diffused Greek civilization throughout western Asia till the word Greek among the Jews had become synonymous with Gentile. The term Canaanite was narrower and indicated an inhabitant of Canaan--that is, a non-Jewish inhabitant of Palestine. The term Syrophoenician was narrower still. It meant a Syrian in Phoenicia, and distinguished the Phoenicians from the other Syrians. Phoenicia was a narrow strip near the northeast corner of the Mediterranean Sea. It was some twenty-eight miles long with an average width of about one mile. Canaan means "lowland"; Phoenicia means "palmland." The Canaanites founded Sidon (#Ge 10:19), and the Phoenicians were their descendants." TFG].
{A Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by race} (ellhniv, surofoinikissa tw genei). "A Greek in religion, a Syrian in tongue, a Phoenician in race" (Bruce), from Euthymius Zigabenus. She was not a Phoenician of Carthage. {She besought} (hrwta). Imperfect tense. She kept at it. This verb, as in late Greek, is here used for a request, not a mere question.
We also see, that a mother or father can ask Jesus to cast out a demon from their child. They should not give-up easy, but keep at it!
Mark 7:29 Then He said to her, "For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter."
Prayer with faith works!
She was a Gentile, what does that say? Answer: That prayer and faith will work for all!
"For this saying go thy way; the demon is gone out of thy daughter. Thus by its ending this little incident illustrates the doctrine that men should pray and not faint (#Lu 18:1-8). The woman's experience has been often repeated by other parents who have prayed for children which, if not demon-possessed, was certainly swayed by diabolical influences. The woman's faith is shown in many ways: 1. She persisted when he was silent. 2. She reasoned when he spoke. 3. She regarded this miracle, though a priceless gift to her, as a mere crumb from the table of his abundant powers. It is noteworthy that the two most notable for faith--this woman (#Mt 15:28) and the centurion (#Mt 8:10 Lu 7:9)--were both Gentiles." [TFG].
"{For this saying} (dia touton ton logon). She had faith, great faith as #Mt 15:28 shows, but it was her quick and bright repartee that pleased Jesus. He had missed his rest, but it was worth it to answer a call like this." [RWP].
Mark 7:30 And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.
Remember, Jesus always keeps His Word!
Luke 4:33 Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice,
This man let God know what he needed, so should we! Sometimes, with a "loud" voice.
Luke 4:35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him.
"though he sadly convulsed him, and put him to great pain, yet he did not wound him in any part of his body, or take away the use of any of his limbs; and much less hurt his soul so as to destroy it; all which was desired and intended by him, but was hindered by Christ;" [JOHN GILL].
"{Had thrown him down in the midst} (riqan auton eiv to meson). First aorist (effective) participle of riptw, an old verb with violent meaning, to fling, throw, hurl off or down. {Having done him no hurt} (mhden blaqan auton). Luke as a physician carefully notes this important detail not in Mark." [RWP].
Luke 8:29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.
Please note that, Jesus did not say "please" to the demon, but "commanded" it to come out!
The demon-possessed man had to be kept "underguard" because he was so dangerous!
Luke 8:36 They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed.
When God does a miracle speak up about it!
Luke 9:42 And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father.
"{As he was yet a coming} (eti prosercomenou autou). Genitive absolute. While he was yet coming (the boy, that is, not Jesus). Note quaint English "a coming" retained in the Revised Version. {Dashed him} (errhxen auton). First aorist active indicative of rhgnumi or rhssw, to rend or convulse, a common verb, used sometimes of boxers giving knockout blows." [RWP].
"the devil threw him down, and tare him; knowing who Jesus was, and that he was able to dispossess him: and having reason to believe he would, was resolved to do all the mischief he could, and give him all the pain add distress he was able, whilst he was in him; and therefore threw him to the ground, and convulsed him in a terrible manner at the same time:" [JOHN GILL].
Luke 11:14 ¶ And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled.
John 7:20 The people answered and said, "You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?"
Again, it is very hard for the unspiritual to know who does or does not have a demon! They are trying to say that God Himself has a demon (for Christ is very God, as well as very man)!
This is worst than many today, that say that a born-again Christian (with the Holy Spirit inside), can be demon-possessed!
"Wild notions and extraordinary conduct indicated insanity, and insanity was usually attributed to demoniacal possession." [TFG].
John 8:48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?"
John 8:49 Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.
It is of the greatest dishonor to say that Jesus Christ has a demon.
I wonder why some dishonor born-again Christians, by saying that they have demons inside.
John 8:52 Then the Jews said to Him, "Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, `If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.'
Even many non-believers, know that a demon can make a person mad!
" {Now we know} (nun egnwkamen). Perfect active indicative of ginwskw, state of completion, "Now since such talk we have come to certain knowledge that thou hast a demon" (verse #48)." [RWP].
" now we know that thou hast a devil; they thought and said so before, but now they were assured, that he must be under diabolical influence, must be possessed with the devil, and mad, and out of his senses; for they thought no man in his senses would ever talk at this rate:" [JOHN GILL].
John 10:20 And many of them said, "He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?"
Even many non-believers, know that a demon can make a person mad!
John 10:21 Others said, "These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
"{Of one possessed with a demon} (daimonizomenou). Genitive of present passive participle of daimonizw. They had heard demoniacs talk, but not like this. {Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?} (mh daimonion dunatai tuflon ofyalmouv anoixai; ).Negative answer expected. Demons would more likely put out eyes, not open them." [RWP].
"Ver. 21. Others said, these are not the words of him that hath a devil, &c.] No madman or demoniac, one possessed of a devil, and under the influence of Satan, would ever talk in so divine a manner, and speak such words of truth and soberness: these were, some of the wiser sort, and were well disposed to Christ, who reasoned thus, and they were but few: whereas those that charged him with madness and distraction were many, as in the preceding verse;" [JOHN GILL].
Some of the ways, a demon can manipulate a human body.
Can break down the body.
LUK 9:39 And, lo, a spirit[1p] taketh him, and he[1] suddenly[1p] crieth out; and it[2][1p] teareth him that he foameth again, and[3] bruising him hardly[1p] departeth from him. (KJV)
[1] exaiphnes, "suddenly, unexpectedly" [BULLINGER. PAGE. 748.].
[2] sparasso, "to tear, rend; lacerate" [BULLINGER. PAGE. 762.], "donotes "to tear, rend, convulse,"" [VINE. PAGE. 620.].
[3] thrauo, "to break, break in pieces, to break down" [BULLINGER. PAGE. 119.], ""to smite through, shatter,"" [VINE. PAGE. 82.]. present active participle, "
the "present participle expresses continuous or repeated action" [CWSNT. PAGE. 855.].
[1p] present indicative active, the "present indicative asserts something which is occurring while the speaker is making the statement" [CWSNT. PAGE. 857.].
Can cause the body, to dry up and wither away!
MAR 9:18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and[1] pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. (KJV)
[1] xeraino, "to dry, make dry. Here, pass., to be dried up, wither away" [BULLINGER. PAGE. 585.]. cf.
PRO 17:22 A merry heart doeth good {like} a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. (KJV)
Cause it to fall down.
MAT 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. (KJV)
Any number of demons can possess an unsaved person. Cf.
MAR 16:9 Now when {Jesus} was risen early the first {day} of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. (KJV)
MAR 5:9 And he asked him, What {is} thy name? And he answered, saying, My name {is}[1] Legion: for we are many. (KJV)
[1] legeon, "legion, the largest division of troops in the Roman army, varying at different periods from 3,000 to 6,600. Used for an indefinitely great number" [BULLINGER. PAGE. 449.]. Latin word (_legio_). A full Roman legion had 6,826 men. ". This may not have been a full legion, for #Mr 5:13 notes that the number of hogs was "about two thousand." Of course, a stickler for words might say that each hog had several demons. [RWP].
for we are many: as a Roman legion did consist of many, though its number was not always alike: in the time of Romulus, a legion consisted of three thousand foot, and three hundred horse; afterwards, when the city was, increased, of six thousand foot, and six hundred horse; sometimes it was six thousand and two hundred foot, and three hundred horse; sometimes four thousand foot, and three hundred horse; sometimes five thousand foot, and three hundred horse {x}. Some make a legion to consist of six thousand six hundred sixty six; and others make it much larger, even twelve thousand five hundred: however, the number in a legion was many; hence the word is retained among the Jews, and is used for a large number, either of persons or things; as, Mytyz lvm dxa Nwygl, "a legion of olives"[JOHN GILL].
Sometimes a demon has to be cast out, before a healing can take place! Cf.
(Matthew 9:32-33 KJV)
(32) As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. (33) And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
Sometimes when the spirit leaves a person, it will throw the person down!
LUK 9:42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare {him}. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father. (KJV)
[please note unless stated otherwise, the Bible text used is the NKJV].
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